Course Information

for MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Department

Intermediate Statistics (M512)

Statistical tools for scientific research including parametric and non-parametric analyses are included. ANOVA and group comparisons, correlation, linear regression, Chi-Square, and basic concepts in experimental design and analysis will be explored. Emphasis is placed on application and the use of the SPSS statistical package.  SPSS statistical software is provided by the college to students. Prerequisite: Undergraduate Statistics Course

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice (N502)

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice explores conceptual frameworks and theories
relevant to the discipline of nursing. The role of theory in the generation of nursing knowledge
is introduced. Selected nursing models/theories are critiqued. Concepts of health promotion and
disease prevention will be addressed within the theoretical frameworks including concepts of
holistic care, healthy lifestyle, self-care, risk reduction, and quality of life. Relevant theories and
issues affecting successful human development are examined. The psychosocial and
sociocultural lifespan influences on health will be discussed.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice & Professional Roles (N503)

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice explores the professional advanced practice (APN)
nursing roles, conceptual frameworks and theories relevant to the discipline of nursing. The
roles, practice, and required elements of Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse
Educator, and Nurse Practitioner are compared and contrasted. The role of theory in the
generation of nursing knowledge is introduced. Selected nursing and non-nursing theories are
critiqued. Relevant theories and issues affecting successful human development are examined.
This course will encourage students to formulate their professional career path based on
insights into the nursing roles.

Health Care Organization and Management (N504)

Health Care Organizational and Management examines local, regional, national, and global health care trends utilizing appropriate epidemiological principles. Students develop a clear understanding of the roles of the advanced practice nurse and examine the design, implementation, and management of care in a variety of healthcare systems. Cost analysis using information technology and the impact on health care services will be discussed. Administrative and organizational behavior will be examined in relation to population-based needs, economic, and reimbursement issues. Organizational and management theory are examined as they relate to nursing, strategic planning, management of the changing health care delivery system, program planning and evaluation, decision-making and change. Prerequisite: RN

Advanced Pharmacology (N508)

Advanced Pathopharmacology builds on the student’s previous knowledge of anatomy and
physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to provide a more in-depth knowledge of the
pathophysiology of disease and its relationship to the principles of pharmacotherapeutics and
pharmacokinetics. The course is designed to provide a foundation for educating patients,
students, and health care workers about pathophysiology mechanisms of disease and
pharmacotherapeutics.

Principles of Nursing Research (N514)

Principles of Nursing Research provides students with the skills to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize health-related research and evidence-based practice reviews for the improvement of nursing practice. The student will use the research process to write a research proposal.

Independent Study (N529)

Independent Study allows for individual study and development of in-depth knowledge and skill in selected area of health care. Experience and activities are planned in an area for specialization based on aptitude and interests of the student. Student must have approval of Director of Graduate Program and a faculty mentor. Prereq: Completion of core courses or consent of Director of Graduate Program

Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology (N530)

Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology provides an in-depth foundation in understanding normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease to serve as a foundation for clinical assessment, formulating differential diagnoses, decision making, and disease management. Students will incorporate lifespan variations, as well as genetic and cellular mechanisms of disease.

Advanced Health and Physical Assessment (N532)

Advanced Health and Physical Assessment develops advanced nursing assessment skills including the comprehensive history, physical, and psychological assessment, pathophysiologic changes, with emphasis on psychosocial and lifespan variations of the individual, family, and community. 

Advanced Health and Physical Assessment Lab (N532L)

must register for N532 and N532L

Advanced Pharmacology (N534)

Advanced Pharmacology provides an understanding of the pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of broad categories of pharmacologic agents. Students will learn about clinical guidelines, regulations, and explore the prescribing environment for APRNs. Students apply their learning in case studies to become familiar with the process of prescribing medications for patients. Prerequisites: N530 or by permission of the Dean.

Professional Role Development (N537)

Professional Role Development is a seminar course that focuses specifically on the advanced practice role. Current issues in the role will be discussed. Prerequisite: Completion of core courses/ specialty courses

Health Promotion and Illness Prevention Throughout the Lifespan (N538)

Health Promotion and Illness Prevention for all population groups of individuals, families, and communities will be addressed. Normal growth and development throughout the life span of specific problems and health promotion issues common to each stage will be emphasized. Health education and behavioral change theory will guide the planning, intervention and evaluation of the populations in promoting health and wellness. 

Evidence-based Nursing Education (N541)

Evidenced-based Nursing Education examines teaching/learning theories, strategies, and research in education that serves as the base for nurse, patient, and student education. Factors impacting the teaching/learning environment are explored with emphasis on evidenced-based research and best practice for education in nursing. The clinical experience (credit hour) is optional.

Prescriptive Authority (N550)

Prescriptive Authority for APRNs reviews the specific rules, regulations, and procedures involved with prescriptive authority. Students will become familiar with the legislative landscape for prescribing for APRNs on the state and federal level. Prerequisites: completion of core courses, N530, N532, or by permission of the Dean. 

Differential Diagnosis (N559)

Differential Diagnoses and Disease Management will integrate previous learning into an application integrating patient history, chief complaints, and diagnostic results in planning client management. This course will incorporate case studies in building critical thinking needed for APN practice. Health deviations and appropriate management across the lifespan will be discussed. Management of common psychosocial disorders is also addressed. Prerequisite: N530, and N534 or consent of Dean Graduate Affairs and Research.

CNL Role in Client-centered Healthcare (N562)

Nursing Leadership in Client-Centered Healthcare prepares the student for the role of the clinical nurse leader. Concepts of horizontal leadership, effective use of self, patient advocacy, and lateral integration of care will be introduced and competencies of the role examined. Emphasis is placed on clinical and financial outcomes and care environment management. Prerequisite: Completion of core courses or consent of Dean Graduate Affairs and Research

Clinical Nurse Leadership in Complex Healthcare Organization (N564)

Clinical Nurse Leadership in Complex Health Care Organizations provides the student with an in-depth examination of how to drive change within health care systems. The student will acquire skills to utilize informatics for outcome measurement and data management. Principles of effective leadership, team building and motivation within a culturally diverse workplace will provide students with the ability to lead high performing microsystems.

Instructional Strategies (N570)

Instructional Strategies provides an introduction to classroom and clinical teaching. This course utilizes principles of adult education to introduce and familiarize the nurse educator with the teaching/learning processes in patient education, staff development and nursing education. Various approaches and learning theories are explored.

Curriculum Theory & Development (N572)

Curriculum Theory and Development provides a knowledge base in curriculum development, including philosophical foundations and educational theories in nursing education. This course introduces the student to the evaluation and use of various educational applications of technology in curricular design.

Testing and Evaluation in Nursing Education (N574)

Testing and Evaluation in Nursing Education addresses assessment strategies to facilitate and determine student learning. This course gives the student practical and theoretical strategies for the preparation and application of measures and instruments. 

Master’s Thesis: Proposal Completion (N596)

Masters Thesis (N599)

During the completion phase, the student will submit the completed thesis, prepare and present a power point presentation of the study, develop handouts, and complete a poster presentation after approval by the thesis advisor, thesis committee member, Dean, and faculty of the Graduate Affairs Committee members. Prerequisite: Nursing Core/ Specialty Core; completion of N595, N596, N597, and N598.

Adult and Aging I (N620A)

Adult & Aging I (MSN) (N620M)

For MSN students only.

Adult and Aging II (N622)

Nurse Practitioner Adult and Aging II offers students clinical experience related to the practitioner role with focus on the adult and aging population. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies are incorporated; culturally sensitive care is emphasized. Prerequisite: Completion of clinical core courses or by permission of the Dean.

Adult & Aging II (N622A)

Adult and Aging II (N622M)

Family Nurse Practitioner - Maternal/Newborn/Child (N624)

Family Nurse Practitioner Maternal/Newborn Child offers students clinical experience related to the family nurse practitioner role with focus on the maternal, newborn, and pediatric populations. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies are incorporated; culturally sensitive care is emphasized. Prerequisite: Completion of clinical core courses or by permission of the Dean.

Family Nurse Practitioner – Maternal/Newborn/Child for MSN (N624M)

Family Nurse Practitioner - Immersion (N626)

Family Nurse Practitioner Immersion offers students the opportunity to practice with emphasis on the lifespan primary and preventative advanced practice nurse care. This course will complete the clinical experience sequence. Prerequisite: Completion of all previous practicum courses or by permission of the Dean.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Approaches to Health Care of the Older Adult (N628)

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner offers students didactic and clinical experience related to the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner role with focus on the aged population. Health promotion and disease prevention strategies are incorporated; culturally sensitive care is emphasized/ Common acute and chronic disease processes, advanced clinical decision making skills and evidence based practice approaches to clinically manage and care for the older adult/aging patient population will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Completion of clinical core courses or by permission of the Dean

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Approaches to Health Care of the Older Adult (N628M)

Independent Study (N629)

Independent study courses permit graduate students to pursue previously studied topics in greater depth. A syllabus for each independent study course is developed through consultation between the student, faculty member, and program Dean. The course must align with the needs and interests of the student and the expected outcomes of the degree and track in which the student is enrolled. Permission to grant an independent study is by discretion of the graduate program Dean.

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner - Immersion (N630)

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Immersion offers students the opportunity to practice the Adult-Gerontology nurse practitioner role with emphasis on the adult through end of life including primary and preventative advanced practice nurse care. This course will complete the clinical experience sequence. Prerequisite: Completion of all previous practicum courses or by permission of the Dean.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Diagnostics & Therapeutics (N632)

This course focuses on diagnostic tests, procedures, and therapeutic management of the adult
geriatric patient in the acute care environment. Diagnostics, such as radiological evaluations
and interventions, acute laboratory evaluations, and cardiovascular interventions will be
discussed in the course. Therapeutic management. Such as ventilator adjuncts, nutritional
support and vasoactive medications will also be presented. Students will learn in a simulation
setting, allowing for emergency management of simulated acute care patients, incorporating
skill acquisition and practice. Prerequisite: N530, N532, N534, N559, N620, N622.

Adult-Gerontology Application Acute Care Diagnostics & Therapeutics (N633)

This course provides 100 hours of clinical practicum in acute care settings focusing on
diagnostic tests, procedures, and therapeutic management of the Adult-Gerontology patients. A
focus on the interdisciplinary team, including clinical pharmacists, radiologists, pulmonologists,
and nutritional support professionals would be provided within the context of the acute care
environment.  Co-requisite:  N632.

Acute Care I (N637)

This course is focused on the acute/critical care management of the Adult-Gerontology patient
presenting with acute and chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine,
hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, and neurovascular conditions. Management of optimal
perfusion, ventilation, electrolyte and hemodynamic balance will be stressed as the student
operates within the acute healthcare team. The student will incorporate patient and family
psychosocial needs as well as develop optimal inter-professional team behaviors. Prerequisite:
N632 and N633.  Students take 3 hours theory, 1 hour clinical.

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care II (N638)

This course builds upon the acute/critical care management of the adult-gerontology patient
presenting with acute and chronic conditions in the N637 Acute Care I course. Principles of
trauma stabilization and management, as well as the management of optimal perfusion,
ventilation, electrolyte and hemodynamic balance will be stressed as the student operates
within the acute healthcare team. The student will incorporate patient and family psychosocial
needs as well as develop optimal inter-professional team behaviors. During this course the
student will identify an evidence-based protocol of interest and perform a critique exercise.
Prerequisite: N637.

Leadership in Practice (N640)

Leadership in Practice provides the student with the opportunity to practice horizontal leadership, effective use of self, advocacy, and lateral integration of care. Prerequisite: N562 and completion of all MSN course work or consent of Dean Graduate Affairs and Research.  Students take 2 credits theory, 1 credit clinical.

Clinical Decision-Making (N642)

Clinical Decision-Making emphasizes the critical thinking skills that are utilized in problem identification, determination of strategies to resolve those problems, outcome measurement, and the basic processes in making clinical decisions that impact patients and health care. Prerequisite: Completion of all MSN course work, N562, N564, N640 or consent of Dean Graduate Affairs and Research.  Students take 2 credits theory, 2 credits clinical.

Immersion (N644)

This clinical immersion experience, Part 1, will provide the student with the opportunity to develop clinical delegation skills and coordinate plans of care for specific patient cohorts. The student will analyze clinical and cost outcomes that improve safety, effectiveness, timeliness, efficiency, and quality of patient centered care. The student will work with clinical experts and mentors. Prerequisite: Completion of all MSN course work, N562, N564, N640, N642 or consent of Dean Graduate Affairs and Research.  Students take 3 credits theory, 2 credits of clinical.

Foundations of Program and Project Planning (N660)

This course, offered in seminar style format, is designed to help students understand the
process for developing, implementing, and evaluation programs for projects in the work place
setting. Over the course of the semester, students will develop a proposal for a project or
program in their specific area of interest. There are three phases: program planning and
proposal development, program management and implementation, and program monitoring
and evaluation.

Nurse Educator Direct Care Practicum I (N668)

This course is designed to provide a foundation for educating patients, students, and health care workers about pathophysiology mechanisms of disease and pharmacotherapeutics in a focused area of clinical experience. Students will spend 100 clock hours in advancing interdisciplinary clinical practice in a defined focus. 

Nurse Educator Direct Care Practicum II (N669)

Nurse Educator Practicum I- Introduction to Teaching Practice (N670)

The student will teach in selected situations in academic and/or practice settings (patient education, staff development, or nursing education) according to their area of specialization. Functions emphasize the use of learning ¬theories, teaching/learning strategies, program assessment and evaluation, and research significant to patient and nursing education within a clinical setting. Factors affecting learning and the learning environment will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Nursing Education Core or permission of the Dean Graduate Affairs and Research  Students take 1 credit theory, 1 credit clinical.

Project Development (N671)

Nurse Educator Practicum II-Academic Focus (N672)

Academic Focus emphasizes concepts of student instruction including classroom management, student assessment, and individual and class evaluation. Content will incorporate personal and environmental factors that impact learning including classroom setup, learning styles, setting boundaries, and classroom discipline. Individual and class evaluation is an important focus. Students will design, implement, and evaluate teaching strategies related to identified educational outcomes. Prerequisite: Nursing Education Core or permission of the Dean Graduate Affairs and Research.  Students take 1 credit theory, 1 credit clinical.

Nurse Educator Seminar (N679)

This course provides an introduction to current topics in nursing including population health, local, regional, national, and global health care trends with an emphasis on the role of the nurse educator. The following concepts will be explored: program design and development; information systems; community relationships through inter-professional collaboration; practice at the population level; health promotion and disease prevention for all population groups; and implications of global health in population-based nursing. Students will investigate an issue of their choosing related to the course content for a formal professional paper.

Nursing Ethics and Health Care law and Policy (P506)

Nursing Ethics and Health Care Law and Policy will explore the moral imperative of professional nursing, emphasizing the legal and ethical decision making process in clinical practice, research, education, and management. Moral agency will guide issues related to human diversity, vulnerability, and spirituality. 

Epidemiology in Health Prevention (PH556)

Epidemiology in Health Prevention introduces students to the principles and methods of the design, conduct, and interpretations of epidemiological findings.

MASTERS PROJECT INITIATION (PR578)

MASTERS PROJECT COMPLETION (PR580)

Master’s Project- Project Initiation (PR670)

The master's project is an in-depth synthesis and analysis of a topic of significance to the nursing profession. This course may include pilot projects, integrative literature reviews, EBP (Evidence Based Practice) projects, in-depth evaluation projects, and other projects as approved. In the initiation phase of project development, the student will obtain approval for the project topic, complete a project proposal and obtain IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval if applicable in conjunction with the advisor. Prerequisites: N502, M512, N514

Master’s Project- Project Development (PR671)

During the implementation phase, the student will complete the project, complete the data analysis, and prepare a complete draft of the scholarly report. Prerequisites: N670, First Tier Nursing Core Courses

Master’s Project- Project Completion (PR672)

During the completion phase, the student will submit the completed paper, present a PowerPoint presentation, develop handouts, and complete a poster presentation to peers and faculty. Prerequisites: PR670, PR671.

Master’s Project (PR673)

The Master’s Project Course provides guidance through the development, implementation, and completion of a scholarly project. 

The Master’s Project demonstrates the student’s ability to synthesize knowledge and skills at an advanced level so that the new information adds to the body of nursing science. The scholarly project will be completed over a period of one semester. Students will focus on a topic of significance to professional nursing. The Master’s Project may take the form of an integrative literature review, concept analysis, practice guidelines reviews, practice policy development, or other pertinent activity as approved by the course faculty and project chair. Course activities include designing the project, including developing the project proposal, conducting a literature review, obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, completing the supervised project, analyzing the data, and disseminating the information related to the project through a scholarly project paper, and poster or oral presentation at an approved professional venue.

Master's Thesis - Initiation (TH680)

The master’s thesis is a systematic scientific inquiry into a problem or phenomenon significant to nursing. This course is an extension of knowledge acquired in the core courses of statistics and research in nursing.

During this first phase of development, the student will identify the subject of study, obtain approval from the thesis advisor, and initiate a thesis proposal. Prerequisite: N502, M512, N514

Master’s Thesis - Proposal Completion (TH681)

During the proposal completion phase, the thesis proposal will be finalized with appropriate approval from the IRB, project advisor, thesis committee member, the Dean and Graduate Affairs Committee members. A literature review will be initiated. Prerequisite: TH680.

Master’s Thesis - Thesis Development (TH682)

During the thesis development phase, research methodologies will be finalized, tools developed,
and methods implemented. The student will investigate the nursing research question using the
research process. The literature review will be completed and the written scholarly document
initiated with support from the thesis advisor and thesis committee. Prerequisite: TH681.

Master’s Thesis - Data Analysis (TH683)

During the data analysis phase, qualitative and/or quantitative data will be evaluated and conclusions determined. The scholarly document will be finalized with the approval of the thesis advisor, thesis committee members, and Dean of Graduate Affairs and Research.  Prerequisite: TH682

Master’s Thesis - Completion (TH684)

During the completion phase, the student will submit the completed thesis, prepare and present
a PowerPoint presentation of the study, develop handouts, and complete a poster presentation
after approval by the thesis advisor, thesis committee, faculty and Dean Graduate Affairs and
Research. Prerequisites: TH683.